Tampon outer surface having increasing number of written identifiers to indicate absorbency

ABSTRACT

An array of disposable tampon applicators which have a first tampon applicator and a second tampon applicator. The first tampon applicator has i.) an outer surface wherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and ii.) a first identifier having a first surface area. The first identifier is disposed on the first tampon applicator and corresponds to a first absorbency. The second tampon applicator has i.) an outer surface wherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and ii.) a second identifier having a second surface area. The second identifier is disposed on the second tampon applicator and corresponds to a second absorbency. The first surface area of the first tampon applicator is different than the second surface area of the second tampon applicator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/196,662, filed Aug. 3, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,637 which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/040,154 filed Jan. 21,2005, pending.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tampon applicators, and more particularly totampons applicators comprising an indicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, some of the problems associated with the proper selectionand use of such products are traceable to modern developments in thetechnologies used to improve their performance. In the past, theabsorbency of catamenials, as well as other absorbent articles such astampons, baby diapers, and adult incontinence garments, could beestimated by visual inspection of their size, shape, and bulk. However,improvements made in modern absorbent articles in an effort to increasein-use comfort and to increase the compactness for ease-of-packaginghave resulted in the development of thin, and even ultra-thin, products.Rather than relying on size and bulk to achieve absorbency, such modernarticles typically employ absorbent gelling materials (hereinafter“AGM”; “superabsorbents”), new methods of forming absorbent batts orpads of cellulosic fibers, and/or various structural improvements toachieve the desired absorbency. Whatever the technology, the result isthat the performance or absorbent capacity of such articles can nolonger be reliably judged solely on the basis of their size and bulk.

In addition to improvements in technology, improvements made in modernabsorbent articles in an effort to increase in-use comfort and consumersatisfaction have resulted in the proliferation of sizes, shapes,conformations and brands in the field of disposable absorbent articlessuch as feminine care articles. Because of the proliferation of sizes,shapes, conformations and brands in the field of disposable absorbentarticles, customers have difficulty differentiating between the manytypes of articles and the variations of article characterizations withinthese article types. In other words, differentiation and selection ofabsorbent articles is difficult due to the many types of articles andvariations of article characterizations within these article types. Forexample, differentiation and selection of catamenial articles areparticularly difficult due to the many choices of article absorbenciessuch as: light absorbency, regular absorbency, and extra absorbency andarticle configurations, for example, daytime articles, nighttimearticles, winged versions and the like. Differentiation and selection ofarticles is also particularly difficult when there is not any artwork,color, and/or shape which differentiates each type of absorbent article.

Often color is used to convey a particular performance characteristic ofa given article. For example, at least one manufacturer of catamenialtampon applicator uses color-based signals on both the outer packagingand the wrapper of such tampon applicators to denote absorbent capacity.In such articles, different colors are used to represent differentarticle characteristic levels (in this case absorbency). For example, agreen band on the package and wrapper of a tampon applicator mightsignal a “super” absorbency tampon, while a blue band might signal a“regular” absorbency tampon.

However, it is problematic when the tampon applicator is removed fromthe wrapper and/or package and there is not any indication of the typeof product absorbency. Thus, there is a need for an intuitive method ofsignaling to the user the absorbency which is independent of thepackaging and/or wrapper when the tampon applicator is then removed fromthe original container and placed in the bathroom drawer, purse, etc.

Proper selection of consumer articles requires an explicit signal.Despite considerable attention being given to such matters, mistakescontinue to be made by consumers. In some instances, the consumer may beinattentative to the packaging which signals the absorbency or unable todetermine the thinness or thickness of the article, or may have alimited amount of time to make a selection of a given article. Inothers, linguistic difficulties may contribute to improper selection andusage.

Typical instructional matter pertaining to the proper selection and useof absorbent articles conventionally comprises printed text, pictures,diagrams, labels, and combinations thereof located on the package. Theobjective of any optimal instructional matter is to be univocal, i.e.,to convey a message regarding proper selection and usage in such aclear, concise, and exact manner that essentially any user, regardlessof the package or wrapper, is prompted to choose and employ the articlecorrectly.

Accordingly, the proper usage of extra, regular, or light capacityabsorbent articles begins with the proper selection of such articlesindependent of the package and/or wrapper. The present inventionprovides an easy and intuitive signal for selecting the properabsorbency, which provides a consumer benefit and ensures that the rightarticle is chosen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an array of disposable tamponapplicators. The array comprises a first tampon applicator and a secondtampon applicator. The first tampon applicator has i.) an outer surfacewherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and ii.) a firstidentifier having a first surface area. The first identifier is disposedon the first tampon applicator and corresponds to a first absorbency.The second tampon applicator has i.) an outer surface wherein the outersurface has an outer surface area and ii.) a second identifier having asecond surface area. The second identifier is disposed on the secondtampon applicator and corresponds to a second absorbency. The firstsurface area of the first tampon applicator is different than the secondsurface area of the second absorbent article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as formingthe present invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view along a longitudinal axis of a tamponapplicator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tampon applicator of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tampon applicator of the presentinvention when the tampon applicator is fully engaged.

FIG. 4 is a view of an array of feminine hygiene articles of the presentinvention

FIG. 5 is a view of an array of feminine hygiene articles of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Section A will provide terms which will assist the reader in bestunderstanding the features of the invention but not to introducelimitations in the terms inconsistent with the context in which they areused in this specification. These definitions are not intended to belimiting. Section B will discuss the tampon of the present invention.

A. Terms

The following are terms which will assist the reader in bestunderstanding the features of the invention, but do not introducelimitations in the terms inconsistent with the context in which they areused in this specification. These definitions are not intended to belimiting.

“Absorbent articles” as referred to herein are primarily sanitarynapkins, sanitary panties, interlabial devices, intravaginal devices(tampons), adult incontinence products, infant diapers, pantiliners, andthe like. Theses articles have been described in the extensive patentliterature and many such articles are in the stream of commerce. See,for example, for sanitary napkins, U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045 issued to Ahret al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,146 issued to Swanson et al.; fortampons, U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,239 issued to Beastall et al. and U.S. Pat.No. 5,279,541 issued to Frayman et al.; and for diapers, U.S. Pat. No.4,573,986 issued to Minetola et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,278 issued toLawson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,301 issued to Buell; and U.S. Pat. No.4,515,595 issued to Kievit. Typically, the disclosed absorbent articlescontain an absorbent structure in the form of a “core” or a pad. Variousfluid-permeable topsheets, fluid-impermeable backsheets,panty-protective “wings,” tape fasteners are optionally used toconstruct elements for such articles and are all within the experienceof those of ordinary skill in the art.

The term, “surface area” as used herein refers to the measure of anytwo-dimensional figure within a 1 cm by 1 cm measured portion, such thattwo surface areas may be compared relatively to one another. While themeasured portion will have a defined dimension, the surface area withinthat portion will always be different from the defined dimension if thetampon has topographical features such as protuberances, depressions,and grooves present within the measured portion. Any known method may beused so long as the measurement does not alter or otherwise distort thesurface area, such as by swelling the materials. The preferred method ofmeasure involves image analysis using any image analysis software oralgorithm for assessing surface area. It should be understood that thesurface area of interest is that which is apparent at the millimeterscale using light microscopy or macrophotography. As well, it should benoted that the surface area is not at the molecular or atomic scale,e.g. techniques such as AFM or BET are not useful herein.

As used herein, “tampon applicator” refers to a device or implement thatfacilitates the insertion of a tampon, medicament, treatment device,visualization aid, or other into an external orifice of a mammal, suchas the vagina, rectum, ear canal, nasal canal, or throat. Non-limitingspecific examples of such include any known hygienically designedapplicator that is capable of receiving a tampon may be used forinsertion of a tampon, including the so-called telescoping, tube andplunger, and the compact applicators, an applicator for providingmedicament to an area for prophylaxis or treatment of disease, aspectroscope containing a microcamera in the tip connected via fiberoptics, a speculum of any design, a tongue depressor, a tube forexamining the ear canal, a narrow hollow pipe for guiding surgicalinstruments, and the like.

As used herein, “indicator” refers to a signal perceptible to the userthat corresponds to a functionally distinguishable characteristic of afeminine hygiene article. In a system of products, thefunctionally-distinguishable characteristic of a feminine hygienearticle is a characteristic that is different in surface area from otherproducts in the same array. The indicator can be any indicia and/orshape. As used herein, indicia is any identifying marking, which mayinclude words and/or graphics identifying the product in use.

As used herein, “compression” refers to the process of pressing,squeezing, compacting or otherwise manipulating the size, shape, and/orvolume of a material to obtain a tampon having a vaginally insertableshape. The term “compressed” refers to the state of a material ormaterials subsequent to compression. Conversely, the term “uncompressed”refers to the state of a material or materials prior to compression. Theterm “compressible” is the ability of a material to undergo compression.

As used herein, the term “density” is used with its common technicalmeaning with units of g/cm³ or g/cc. The density may refer specificallyto that of a specific region or feature of the tampon as noted. Thedensity will be measured, unless otherwise noted, by taking the weightdivided by the geometric volume described by the shape. Unless noted,density refers to that of the overall structure and not the individualcomponents, and will include in the measurement void volume of smallpores and voids within the overall structure.

The term “digital tampon” refers to a tampon which is intended to beinserted into the vaginal canal with the user's finger and without theaid of an applicator. Thus, digital tampons are typically visible to theconsumer prior to use rather than being housed in an applicator.

The term “folded” as used herein, is the configuration of the tamponpledget that may be incidental to lateral compaction of the absorbentmaterial or may purposely occur prior to a compression step. Such aconfiguration is readily recognizable, for example, when the absorbentmaterial abruptly changes direction such that one part of the absorbentmaterial bends and lies over another part of the absorbent material.

As used herein, “generally cylindrical” refers to the usual shape oftampons as is well known in the art, but which also includes oblate orpartially flattened cylinders, curved cylinders, and shapes which havevarying cross-sectional areas (such as a Coke™ bottle shape). Thelongitudinal axis refers to the longest linear dimension of the tampon.The cross-section refers to a slice taken at right angles to thelongitudinal axis.

The term “joined” or “attached,” as used herein, encompassesconfigurations in which a first element is directly secured to a secondelement by affixing the first element directly to the second element;configurations in which the first element is indirectly secured to thesecond element by affixing the first element to intermediate member(s)which in turn are affixed to the second element; and configurations inwhich the first element is integral with the second element; i.e., thefirst element is essentially part of the second element.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal axis” of a tampon refers to theaxis that runs through the center of the tampon as shown in FIG. 2. Aportion of the tampon may be asymmetric about the longitudinal axis,such as when the withdrawal end region is flared and distorted from theoriginal shape of the rest of the tampon (such as a “fin shape”).Further, the longitudinal axis may be linear or non-linear.

The “outer surface” of a tampon applicator refers to the visible surfaceof the tampon applicator. At least part of the outer surface may besmooth or alternatively may have topographic features, such as ribs,spiraling ribs, a mesh pattern, or other topographical features.

The “outer surface” of a tampon applicator refers to the visible surfaceof the (compressed and/or shaped) tampon applicator prior to use and/orexpansion. At least part of the outer surface may be smooth oralternatively may have topographic features, such as ribs, spiralingribs, a mesh pattern, or other topographical features.

The term “cross-section,” as used herein, is any 5 mm thick sectionorthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

As used herein, the terms “pledget” or “tampon pledget” are intended tobe interchangeable and refer to a construction of absorbent materialprior to the compression and/or shaping of such construction into atampon as described above. Pledgets may be rolled, folded or otherwisemanipulated prior to compression. Tampon pledgets are sometimes referredto as tampon blanks, or a softwinds, and the term “pledget” is intendedto include such terms as well. In general in this specification, theterm “tampon” is used to refer to a finished tampon after thecompression and/or shaping process. It will be recognized by those ofskill in the art that in some contexts these terms are interchangeable.The different stages of tampon manufacture are described herein with aneye toward providing the greatest possible clarity. Therefore, the termsused are to assist the reader in best understanding the features of theinvention and not to introduce limitations in the terms not consistentwith the context in which they are used in this specification.

As used herein, a tampon has a “self-sustaining shape” when a tamponpledget has been compressed and/or shaped such that it assumes a generalshape and size, which is vaginally insertable, absent external forces.It will be understood by one of skill in the art that thisself-sustaining shape need not, and preferably does not persist duringactual use of the tampon. That is, once the tampon is inserted andbegins to acquire fluid, the tampon may begin to expand and may lose itsself-sustaining form.

As used herein, the term “tampon” refers to any type of absorbentstructure that can be inserted into the vaginal cavity or other bodycavities for the absorption of fluid therefrom or for the delivery ofactive materials, such as medicaments or moisture. A tampon can bestraight or non-linear in shape, such as curved along the longitudinalaxis.

Generally, there are two types of tampons. The first type of tampon is aself-sustaining tampon. Tampons are generally “self-sustaining” in thatthey will tend to retain their general shape and size before use. Atypical self-sustaining tampon is 35–60 mm long, the length measuredfrom the top of the tampon to the base of the tampon along alongitudinal axis. The measurement to the base of the tampon does notinclude any overwrap, secondary absorbent member, or withdrawal cordwhich extends beyond the tampon's main absorbent material. A typicalself-sustaining tampon is 5–20 mm wide corresponding to the largestcylindrical cross section. The width can vary along the length of theself-sustaining tampon.

The second type of tampon is an easily “deformable, fluid-permeable bagtampon”. The deformable, fluid-permeable bag tampon consists of, but isnot limited to, pieces such as absorbent chips, spheres, or fibers suchthat the fluid permeable bag tampon is readily deformable with a forceof less than about 3 psi. The tampon is substantially deformable atpressures of less than about 1 psi; resulting in the tampon spreading orbeing easily indented when the pressure is applied from a surface ofabout 0.15 mm diameter.

As used herein, the terms “vaginal cavity” and “within the vagina” referto the internal genitalia of the human female in the pudendal region ofthe body.

B. General Descpription of Basis Parts of a Tampon Applicator

Referring to FIG. 1, a tampon applicator 20 is shown which is designedto position tampon 21 inside the vaginal cavity. Also, FIG. 1 shows“proximal” and “distal” designated as P and D, respectively. The tamponapplicator 20 may be used with any type of tampon 21. The tampon 21could be a self-sustaining tampon or a deformable fluid permeable bagtampon.

Generally, the tampon applicator 20 includes an outer member 23 and aninner member 24. The outer member 23 comprises an insertion end 31 and asecond end 27 opposed to the insertion end 31. During insertion of thetampon applicator 20 into the body of a wearer, the insertion end 31 isthe most proximal end to the body of the wearer along the longitudinalaxis 60 and the second end 27 is the most distal end to the body of thewearer along the longitudinal axis 60. A preformed hinge or groove 32may extend around the periphery of the outer member 23 near theinsertion end 31. The outer member 23 may also have a dome-shaped endhaving a number of radial slits 46 therein extending from a centralaperture to the groove 32. The portion of the outer member 23 adjacentto the insertion end 31 may also have an openable end, such as petals47. In addition, the outer member 23 can contain a grip region 43located adjacent to the second end 27 of the outer member 23.

The inner member 24 is dimensioned to slidably move within the hollowinterior portion 33 of the outer member 23, with minimal clearancetherebetween. The inner member 24 has a first end 28 and a second end 29opposed to the first end 28. The first end 28 is the most proximal endof the inner member 24 along the longitudinal axis 60. In thisembodiment, the first end 28 provides the necessary force to expel the(FIG. 3) tampon 21. The second end 29 is the most distal end of theinner member 24 along the longitudinal axis 60. An axial force 44 isapplied to the second end 29 of inner member 24 to expel the (FIG. 3)tampon 21. Also, the inner member 24 can have a hollow interior portion30. Alternatively, the inner member 24 can be solid or partially solid.

The tampon applicator 20 has a pre-expelled state and a partiallyexpelled state. During the pre-expelled state, as is readily seen inFIG. 1, the tampon 21 sits within the outer member 23 and issubstantially aligned with the tampon applicator 20. The tampon 21 canremain snugly therein without any outside force to sustain its positionin the tampon applicator 20. In one nonlimiting example, the tampon 21can be enveloped by the inner member 24 or embedded within inner member24 during expulsion of tampon 21. The tampon 21 may or may not be incontact with the first end 28 of the inner member 24 before expulsion ofthe tampon 21.

As is readily seen in FIG. 3, when the axial force 44 is applied alongthe longitudinal axis 60, the inner member 24 slides toward theinsertion end 31 of the outer member 23. The inner member 24 bearsagainst the rear end of tampon 21 pushing the tampon 21 toward theinsertion end 31 of outer member 23. Upon full engagement of innermember 24 with outer member 23, the exposed portion 35 of the tampon 21is expelled from the tampon applicator 20 and a remaining portion 36 ofthe tampon 21 is contained within the tampon applicator 20.

C. Incorporation of Indicators into a Tampon Applicator

The above disclosure is meant to give a general description of the basicparts of feminine hygiene articles such as tampon applicators and thelike as they are known in the art. The description is not intended to belimiting. Any and all of various known elements, features and processesof known tampon applicators and the like can be incorporated in thefeminine hygiene article of the present invention as desired or neededfor particular use benefits. Now, with respect to the remainingdisclosure, the novel features and benefits of the present inventionwill be described.

In its broadest aspect, the present invention is directed to an array ofdisposable tampon applicators comprising a line-up of disposable tamponapplicators in which each disposable tampon applicator comprises anindicator. When so employed, the surface area that the indicator coversprovides an easy and intuitive method for indicating the absorbency ofthe product. When indicators are placed on the tampon applicator, theindicator provides a method for selecting the proper absorbency productsindependent the package and/or tampon applicator wrapper. Thus, when thearticle is then removed from the original container and placed in thebathroom drawer, purse, etc. the user can select the proper absorbencyproduct.

By the present invention, a system of distinct indicators is used toimplement the proper selection and use of consumer products, includingcatamenials, especially tampon applicators, tampons, sanitary napkins,and interlabial devices. The present invention may also be used in otherfields such as beauty care, food and beverage, health care, laundry andcleaning, and tissues and towels. For example, indicators may be used inbeauty care to denote product performance characteristics such as moreor less moisture; in coffee products to differentiate between light,medium, and dark roast levels; in the health care area to denotestronger medicine such as cough drops and chloraseptics; in laundry andcleaning to indicate a higher concentration of detergent; and in tissuesand towels to denote levels of absorbency. The use of indictors in thismanner univocally and unequivocally connotes performancecharacteristics, thereby improving user satisfaction with the productand decreased anxiety in choosing the correct product.

The indicators are perceived and referred to in terms of the amount ofsurface area that is covered by the tampon applicator. Typically, themore surface area that the indicator covers the greater the absorbencythat the indicator indicates. For example, in the context of oneembodiment the present invention, a tampon applicator having six groovessignals a “mini” absorbency tampon; a tampon applicator having ninegrooves signals a “normal” absorbency tampon; a tampon applicator havingtwelve grooves signals a “super” absorbency tampon, and a tamponapplicator having fifteen grooves signals a “super plus” absorbencytampon. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the visual arts thatthe number of grooves are relative, not absolute, terms that can be usedto compare the surface areas with each other.

With such a line up, the consumer is able to remember easily that lesssurface area corresponds to lower absorbency while higher absorbencycorresponds to a higher surface area. Preferably, the variation insurface area is great enough to be readily perceived by a consumerwithout having to refer to an external basis or calibration means forcomparison. For example, if the product performance characteristic beingrepresented is absorbency, an indicator covering about 24% of thesurface area of the tampon applicator might represent low absorbency. Anindicator covering about 46% of the surface area of the tamponapplicator might represent high absorbency, while an indicator coveringabout 41% of the surface area of the tampon applicator might representregular absorbency.

Referring to FIG. 4, the indicators 22 may encompass the entire tamponapplicator 20 or may encompass part of the tampon applicator 20. Forexample, the indicators 22 may encompass one-fourth of the surface areaof the tampon applicator 20. In yet another example, the indicators 22may encompass two-thirds of the surface area of the tampon applicator20.

The indicators 22 may be placed anywhere on the tampon applicator 20. Inother words, the overall trade dress of the product may use theindicators 22 in a variety of ways. Specifically, the indicators 22 maybe placed anywhere on the tampon applicator 20, e.g., on the top, sides,or bottom, or all three.

Referring to FIG. 4, the indicators 22 can be placed on the outer member23, inner member 24, or on another portion of the tampon applicator 20as long as it is visually perceptible to the user, or on any combinationof the components of the tampon applicator 20.

Referring to FIG. 4, indicators 22 may be visually perceptible bytechniques including, but not limited to, printing, stamping, coating,impregnating, embossing, folding, any known process that makes a visual,or even tactile, impression that indicates the indicator 22 having asurface area, or any combinations thereof. Various printing methods maybe used to impart indicators 22 including, but not limited to,letterpress, flexography, gravure, offset lithography, screen, andinkjet. Indicators 22 can comprise printed indicia, such asink-jet-printed figures, designs, lines or line segments, or embossedridges or bumps, folds, pleats, or any other means known in the art forproviding visible indications that impart an indictor 21 which coversthe surface area of the tampon applicator 20 and aids the user inchoosing the proper absorbency tampon from a line-up of tamponapplicators.

Indicators 22 can be any size or shape. Indicators 22 can be any size aslong as the indicator 22 is able to be readily perceived by a consumerwithout having to refer to an external basis or calibration means forcomparison. The indicator 22 can be circular, square, rectangular,triangular, arced, curved, or any other conceivable shape possible aslong as the indicator 22 is able to be readily perceived by a consumerwithout having to refer to an external basis or calibration means forcomparison. While the indicators 22 can be a wide range of shapes, it ispreferred to use a member selected from the group consisting of straightgrooves, spiral grooves, flower petals, ellipses, and mixtures thereof.

The indicator(s) 22 may be formed to have essentially identical size andshape as compared to other indicators 22 on the individual tamponapplicator 20. In one non-limiting example, the tampon applicator hastwenty indicators shaped like protuberances. Each protuberance isidentical to the other protuberances. Alternatively, the indicator 22may be formed to have various sizes and shapes as compared to anotherindicator 22 on the tampon applicator 20. In one non-limiting example,the tampon applicator may have twenty indicators. However, eachindicator may have a different geometric shape. Additionally, eachindicator may have a different size.

The number of indicators 22 and the distance over which the indicators22 extend may vary. The number of indicators 22 may range from about 1to about 50. Either an even or an odd number of indicators 22 can bepresent. For ease of manufacturing, it is preferred that the indicators22 be equally spaced relative to one another. The indicators 22,however, may be unequally spaced relative to one another.

The distance between each indicator 22 depends upon the area of thetampon 20 and the size and number of indicators 22.

Indicators 22 may be arranged randomly or in a pattern. For example,indicators 22 can be arranged to form any three-dimensional geometricpattern known including but not limited to diagonal lines, straightlines, checkerboard, flowers, ovals, circles, rectangles, trapezoids,triangles, cones, alphabet letters, and mixtures thereof. Alternatively,indicators 22 may be randomly arranged so that the multiplicity ofindicators 22 may comprise merely a surface roughness in no apparentpattern. In addition, indicators 22 may be arranged such that the areasbetween the indicators 22 may form any geometric pattern known includingbut not limited to flowers, ovals, circles, rectangles, trapezoids,triangles, cones, alphabet letters, and mixtures thereof.

The indicator 22 may be formed to have essentially identical size andshape as compared to other indicators 22 in the same line-up. Moreover,while the use of increasing surface area, especially those havingdiffering intensities, can be used to signal absorbency or other productperformance characteristic such as size and strength, it is preferred touse differing surface areas which have indicators 22 of the same basicshape. For example, over the range of absorbencies: one groove whichcovers 10% of the surface area of the tampon applicator can signal lightabsorbency; two grooves which covers 30% of the surface area of thetampon applicator can signal regular absorbency; and three grooves whichcovers 60% of the surface area of the tampon applicator can signal extraabsorbency.

Alternatively, the indicator 22 may be formed to have various sizes andshapes as compared to another indicators 22 in the same line-up. Inother embodiments, the indicators 22 may have shapes which are notsimilar as long as the indicators 22 on each tampon applicator 20 havean increased surface area which correlates with the increasedabsorbency. An important advantage of using a range of surface areaswithin the line-up is that continuity for the visual selection of theoverall product line is maintained, while the user is provided with thedesired intuitive selection, and usage means which is the object of thisinvention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another embodiment, feminine hygiene articles,such as tampons 20, can have indicators 22 that provide directinformation-bearing signals to the user, such as numerals or writtenindicia that communicate information by way of clearly understoodgradations in scale. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, an array 75 oftampon 20 can be identified by a number 1, with increasing numbersindicating an increase in a functional characteristic. For example,increasing numbers can signal an increasing amount of absorbent capacityrelative to lower-numbered. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the articleon the far right numbered with the numeral “3” can have more absorbentcapacity than that of the tampon 20 in the middle numbered with thenumeral “2”. Other indicators 22 could be used for a more aestheticappearance.

FIG. 5 shows an array 75 of tampon applicators 20 having a plurality ofindicators 22. As shown, each tampon applicator 20 can haveinformation-bearing written indicia 70 to literally “spell out” thefunctional characteristic, such as light absorbency, regular absorbency,or super absorbency capacity. In addition, or separately, an array oftampon applicators 20 can be differentiated by the number of visuallydistinct pattern elements 72 such as the heart shapes shown in FIG. 5.Thus, the greater number of hearts, the greater the characteristicsignaled by the indicator 22. In addition, or separately, the indicator22 can include a shortened form of the information-bearing writtenindicia 74, such as “L” for light absorbency, “R” for regularabsorbency, and the “S” for super absorbency.

In each case of the embodiments of the present invention, one benefit tothe user is the identification in an array of products of differingfunctional characteristics, the product or products the user can choosefor her particular needs. Further, another benefit to the user is theability to take visual notice after use of a product to identify theproduct for future use. Thus, a user may use the middle tamponapplicator shown in FIG. 4, for example, and find that it is perfect forher needs. Upon removing the tampon applicator she has direct visualreinforcement as to which tampon applicator of all the various kinds itis. This enables her to easily replace it with a like tampon applicatorwithout having to remember what kind of tampon applicator she used.

In a preferred mode, the product herein is displayed in a manner suchthat the consumer's attention is drawn to the entire product line. Theproduct line may contain two or more products. Thus, on a store shelf ordisplay rack, the products have the gradation of absorbencies preferablyplaced in a side-by-side array, most preferably in ascending order ofabsorbency. The ascending order may be from left to right; right toleft; up to down; down to up; horizontally; or diagonally. It is notedthat side-by-side herein means that all articles in the product line arein sufficient proximity to each other, either horizontally, vertically,or diagonally to be within the consumer's zone of perception at the sametime. The products should be in close enough proximity to prevent undueconfusion for the consumer. Thus, in a horizontal display reading fromleft-to-right, products having low absorbency (indicators covering lesssurface area), medium absorbency (indicators covering more surface areathan the low absorbency tampon applicator but the indicators coveringless surface area coverage than the high absorbency tampon), and highabsorbency (indicators covering more surface area than the mediumabsorbency tampon applicator) are displayed together. This not onlydraws attention to the entire product line, but also provides additionalvisual signals to the consumer by virtue of the side-by-side display.

i. EXAMPLES

The following Example illustrates the practice of the invention, but isnot intended to be limiting thereof.

Example I

The line-up consists of an array of tampon applicators comprising light,regular, and extra absorbency tampon applicators. Grooves 23 areindicators. In general, the greater the absorbency of the tampon, theindicator covers a greater surface area of the tampon applicator. Thefirst tampon is a regular absorbency tampon which retains 6–9 grams. Theregular absorbency tampon applicator has three sets of two grooves. Thesecond tampon is a super absorbency tampon which retains 9–12 grams.This super absorbency tampon applicator has three sets of three grooves.The third tampon is a superplus absorbency tampon. The superplusabsorbency tampon applicator has three sets of four grooves. Thus, thisline-up of regular, super, and super-plus tampons consist of oneindicator which varies in surface area to denote the respectiveabsorbencies of the products within the kits.

Example II

The line-up consists of an array of tampon applicators having grooves asindicators comprising light, regular, and extra absorbency tampons. Aregular absorbency tampon which retains 6–9 grams has grooves covering20% of the surface area of the tampon applicator. A super absorbencytampon which retains 9–12 grams has grooves covering 40% of the surfacearea of the tampon applicator. A superplus absorbency tampon 27 whichretains 12–15 grams has grooves covering 50% of the surface area of thetampon applicator.

Example III

A “multi-pack” kit comprising light, regular, and extra absorbencytampons can be prepared. These tampons are enclosed in their respectivetampon applicators. The kit may consist of three tampon applicatorshaving varying surface areas to denote the respective absorbencies ofthe products within the kits. The indicator is in the shape of a “T”.The “T” is printed on the outer surface of the tampon applicator. Thelight tampon enclosed by the tampon applicator has 30% of the surfacearea of the tampon applicator covered by “Ts.” The regular tamponenclosed by the regular tampon applicator has 60% of the surface area ofthe tampon applicator covered by “Ts.” The extra absorbency tamponenclosed by extra absorbency tampon applicator has 90% of the surfacearea of the tampon applicator covered by “Ts.”

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An array of tampons, said array comprising: a.) a first tamponcomprising i. an absorbent outer surface wherein said outer surfacecomprises an outer surface area and ii. a first identifier comprising afirst surface area, wherein said first identifier is disposed on saidfirst tampon and corresponds to a first absorbency; b.) a second tamponcomprising i. an absorbent outer surface wherein said outer surfacecomprises an outer surface area and ii. a second identifier comprising asecond surface area, wherein said second identifier is disposed on saidsecond tampon and corresponds to a second absorbency; c.) wherein saidfirst identifier surface area of said first tampon being different thansaid second identifier surface area of said second tampon d.) whereinsaid first identifier and said second identifier are written identifiershaving increasing numbers indicating an increase in a functionalcharacteristic.
 2. The array of claim 1 wherein said tampon has a shapewhich is substantially serpentine shape.